Celebrating the entrepreneurs, startups, and bold ideas that are transforming Libya's economy from the ground up.
In 2017, Tatweer Research organized Enjazi, a competition for entrepreneurs in collaboration with the MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab. After launching a call for applications with hundreds of startups joining from across Libya, Enjazi began as startups competed over the course of three stages in three different cities. Tatweer Research held a launch ceremony for Enjazi on 8 April 2017 at its headquarters in Benghazi, followed by another ceremony in Tripoli on April 12, then another one on April 16 of the same year.
More than 1,000 participants applied for this competition and 20 teams were selected to qualify for the first stage, which took place in Benghazi. In this stage, entrepreneurs received a set of trainings focusing on basic skills needed to create and manage their own startups. After completing the training, the teams pitched their ideas to the jury. Ten teams were selected by the jury to qualify for the second stage in Beirut. Finally, three were crowned the winners of Enjazi in the final stage, which was held in London.
Enjazi is the subject of a BBC World documentary called "Start-Up Libya", which recounts the journey of entrepreneurs and their personal stories. The film was first broadcast in May 2018.
Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC)
Tatweer Research is proud to have established the Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC), a pioneering initiative launched in 2018, designed to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Libya, thereby diversifying the economy and generating job opportunities for the youth. This ambitious project is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between Tatweer Research and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), generously funded by the European Union. TEC comprises a cutting-edge incubator, a shared workspace, and a funding mechanism to support emerging ventures, in addition to a suite of other innovative programs.
Since its inception in 2018, TEC has made significant strides in empowering young entrepreneurs, facilitating the establishment of numerous companies. Over the years, the center has also played a pivotal role in fostering an entrepreneurial culture within Libya's business landscape. Its influence has been instrumental in creating job opportunities, ultimately contributing to the nation's economic growth and development.
TEC TALK
TEC Talk
Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC) hosts a bi-monthly series of stimulating gatherings, aptly dubbed TEC Talk, which brings together young individuals from diverse backgrounds in technology, business management, and entrepreneurship to engage in thought-provoking discussions. These dynamic talks are designed to foster a community of Libyan entrepreneurs by providing a platform for young people to converge, share ideas, and learn from one another. TEC Talk also offers a unique opportunity for young individuals to establish meaningful connections with esteemed experts, gain insights into their success stories, and stay abreast of the latest technological trends, business innovations, and scientific breakthroughs globally and their potential impact on Libya.
Since its inception in 2017, TEC Talk has convened over 40 sessions across four cities, attracting a total of 2122 participants who have actively engaged in these constructive dialogues.
TEC
CAMP
TEC Camp was a collaborative initiative with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) that spanned four years from 2017 to 2020. This comprehensive program attracted a diverse group of participants who underwent an intensive eight-week training program in web programming and electronic applications, comprising 11 courses in three distinct cities. The objective was to equip trainees with the skills necessary to conceptualize and develop innovative technology projects that can compete in the global market. The training curriculum covered a range of topics, including entrepreneurship fundamentals, software development, database design and implementation, and web development basics, among others. As part of the program, participants were tasked with creating a website and application for their chosen projects, which were subsequently evaluated by a committee of experts based on their final presentations. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program's closing session in 2020 was a resounding success, as participants were eager to learn and develop their skills.
TEC
CRASH
TEC Crash
TEC Crash is a comprehensive entrepreneurship training program, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Program within Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC) from 2017 to 2020. This 3-week intensive program was designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to develop their innovative ideas, with a focus on preparing their projects for launch. To achieve this, the program provided guidance on the fundamental principles of startup management, including strategic planning, human resources management, financial management, legal frameworks, marketing, and sales. Over the course of 10 courses, 393 trainees from Benghazi, Tripoli, and Sabha benefited from this comprehensive training experience.
Benghazi Hackathon was a thrilling, 48-hour intensive competition held from June 30 to July 20, 2018, organized by Hexa Connection and hosted by Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC). This dynamic event brought together young programmers from across the region, challenging them to devise innovative solutions to three pressing issues affecting the economy, education, and governance in Benghazi. Over 100 enthusiasts applied to participate, and 25 were selected to form seven teams. Working in collaboration, these teams leveraged their programming skills to develop groundbreaking solutions during the competition period. Throughout this time, participants received expert guidance from five specialized mentors, who offered valuable insights to help them succeed. Ultimately, seven teams presented their innovative solutions to a panel of esteemed judges, who selected the top three startups.
Bedaya was a transformative entrepreneurship program launched in collaboration with Tatweer Research and the UNDP in 2020. This intensive 16-week training initiative was designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed to build legitimate businesses from the ground up. The program provided comprehensive guidance on developing viable business ideas, strategic planning, and startup fundamentals. Despite the challenges of launching during uncertain times, Bedaya equipped its participants with invaluable experience and the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. The program's success extended beyond immediate outcomes, with several participants going on to achieve significant milestones, including selection for prestigious international programs and securing support from global accelerators.
IMPACTFUND
Our team had the opportunity to compete for funding through the Impact Fund, a program established by Tatweer Research to support entrepreneurs in Libya. We were one of 286 applicants, and we spent weeks pouring our hearts into crafting a compelling proposal. Our submission was presented to a prestigious evaluation committee comprising representatives from the UNDP, the EU, and other development companies.
I have to admit, I didn't expect us to win, but sometimes surprises can be amazing! Our startup, School Connect, was selected as one of the top 12 winners. The financial support from the Impact Fund was instrumental in helping us launch our startup, which we rebranded as Panda. Today, Panda connects over 10,000 students and their families to thirty schools. It's now part of our company's suite of services at Avanin Technology Education.
In collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), AgriTEC has come to fruition, with the ambitious goal of revamping the agricultural sector in remote areas, such as Kufra municipality. Our solution aimed to stimulate local economies by providing innovative tools to farmers, including solar water pumps and cold storage units. These technologies enabled farmers to preserve their crops and enhance their marketing efforts.
To lay the groundwork for this initiative, our team conducted a comprehensive assessment of the agricultural sector in Kufra. We gathered and analyzed data from over 700 medium and small farms, gaining valuable insights into production levels, water consumption, pesticide usage, crop types, land utilization, and farmer knowledge. We also delved into demographic data to better understand the needs of our target audience.
AgriTEC has had a profound impact on the agricultural landscape in Kufra. By supplying farmers with reliable irrigation systems and cold storage facilities, we've mitigated the damage caused by frequent power outages and water scarcity. Furthermore, our project has created numerous job opportunities on these farms, allowing targeted areas to increase their production and contribute to food security and economic development for local farmers.
Business Accelerator
Building on the success of our TEC, which focused on establishing an integrated program to support entrepreneurship in Libya, we launched TEC+ in 2023. This business accelerator program aimed to foster the growth of emerging companies in the market by providing comprehensive support through material and scientific means. In partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), we selected 30 emerging companies (10 in each of Benghazi, Tripoli, and Sabha) and provided them with expert guidance and mentorship. Each company received a tailored expansion strategy based on its unique needs.
In addition, we activated the Impact Fund to provide these startups with direct access to seed grants, enabling them to develop their operational capabilities. The program concluded in September 2023 with a series of meetings between investors and emerging companies, dubbed the Angel Investor Hub. These gatherings took place in the three targeted cities, aiming to connect entrepreneurs with investors, facilitate access to capital, build strategic partnerships, and highlight shared commercial interests.
One of the most significant outcomes of TEC+ is the creation of 128 new job opportunities across 23 companies. This achievement is a testament to the project's remarkable effectiveness in driving economic growth and job creation in Libya. By empowering emerging companies to scale up their operations, the project has had a profound impact on the lives of individuals and their families, providing them with financial stability and security.
But that's not all - the project has also built a powerful network of connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders across Libya. This web of relationships fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support, setting the stage for even more innovation and growth in the future.
Public-Private
Dialogues
Tatweer Research launched a series of public-private dialogue sessions in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union. This ambitious initiative aimed to bridge the communication gaps between the public and private sectors, addressing economic challenges at both local and regional levels. The sessions took place in four key Libyan cities - Benghazi, Sabha, Tripoli, and Misrata - from August 2022 to July 2023.
The project focused on the most prominent service sectors in Libya, including banking, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, and telecommunications. Our team meticulously prepared the project, managed and facilitated the dialogue sessions, and designed them to suit the unique economic profiles of each city. We also arranged logistics and identified key stakeholders to participate in the dialogue.
Throughout the project, we organized 13 sessions across the identified cities, engaging over 150 representatives from targeted sectors. The outcome was a powerful reinforcement of effective cooperation between the public and private sectors, as participants presented a set of actionable recommendations for addressing economic challenges in each city.
Targeted Cities
Targeted Sectors
Deraya
In May 2023, Tatweer Research partnered with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Flat6labs and Mazam to launch Deraya Entrepreneurship Initiative. This innovative initiative aimed to equip university students and graduates with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to transform their innovative ideas into thriving startup companies.
To achieve this goal, a multifaceted approach was designed to promote entrepreneurship awareness among Libyan youth. A targeted promotional campaign was conducted across social media platforms, featuring interactive electronic seminars that brought together young entrepreneurs from Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia with experienced mentors and role models. This unique opportunity allowed participants to gain valuable insights into the success stories and expertise of these pioneers, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Al-Mreisa Free Zone
This project aspires to drive comprehensive economic development in Libya by generating job opportunities, knowledge transfer, and attracting foreign investment. To achieve this vision, Tatweer Research has partnered with three renowned consulting firms: PwC, Mott Macdonald, and DLA Piper. These esteemed organizations bring extensive expertise in economic studies, engineering, and legal frameworks to the table.
Together, they have conducted a thorough economic feasibility study and prepared a comprehensive general plan for the 1,200-hectare zone. This collaborative effort has resulted in a detailed understanding of the free zone's activities, which align with global economic standards. The project's regulations and policies are now being formulated to ensure a seamless operational environment.
The first phase of economic and engineering studies has been successfully completed. The approved plan, endorsed by the Libyan authorities' Urban Planning Department, outlines the framework for the region's development.
